I acknowledge Treaty 7 territory—the ancestral and traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy: Kainai, Piikani and Siksika as well as the Tsuu T’ina First Nation and Stoney Nakoda First Nation, including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nation. The City of Calgary, known as Mohkintsis in the Blackfoot language is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. I acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for generations. I am grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are with us today, those who have gone before us and those who are becoming. I recognize the land as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory I reside on, and give thanks to the land for the years I have grown up here and the many blessings of nurturance and inspiration.**
I am a person of Treaty 7. I grew up and have lived on this land for most of my life, a privilege that was afforded through the signing of Treaty 7 by the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuu T’ina First Nation, the Stoney Nakoda First Nation and the representatives of the Canadian Crown. I recognize as a citizen of the Canadian Nation I have a responsibility to understand and uphold the spirit and intent of the promises made in Treaty 7. I accept this responsibility and am committed to learn how to live and work together in peace and harmony with the traditional people of this land.
***
I have recently changed the way I approach my art practice. 10 years of production work blessed me with an enormous growth of skill and creative aptitude to respond to a constantly changing environment and outcome. I have paid my dues, and I am ready to release the throttle and s.l.o.w...d.o.w.n. For all of the joy that my production practice gave to me, there were always unanswered questions that I just didn’t have time to consider.
These changes came at the same time, my first born was leaving home to discover her way in the world. Both my professional and personal life met at an important intersection. Since 2018, I have been slowly transforming the way I work, moving from wholesale orders to creative development on individual projects. I have reflected on what I want to achieve, what I want to experience, and what I want to offer to the world.
Along with these creative changes, I have also been applying my intellect to further education in the field of psychology. I am working towards a Masters Degree in this field and am curious how these learnings will feed my art practice and creative world. I am thankful for my medium of choice as the haptic, sensual, kinesthetic experience of clay has always helped me ground heady and complex intellectual concepts.
I am motivated by a desire to enter the field of human services and can see a crossover in offering classes. I have taught ceramics passionately for over 12 years, and have always aimed to create a safe and nurturing environment for people to find, foster and explore their own creative capacities. As such, I am going to apply my creative and nurturing mindset to the creation of special classes and workshops. Stay tuned as they become available. If you would like a first hand heads up, sign up for the STAY CONNECTED link for emerging news of course offerings and workshops, small sales of cherished work and new releases.
Of course there are many unknowns in our world today, so I will prepare for the time when we meet again. I will cherish the quiet reflective time of being at home and re-envisioning our world as a safer, kinder, more supportive and loving place. I hope you are all able to stay safe and to reach out for support if you need it. May you all find it. And may we find each other again soon.
